Further to this thread: http://www.clubvr4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=42977
I had the entire intake manifold/plenum resonator taken off and cleaned, and there was not too much soot further in, so did not deem that worth worrying about.
A few days ago, I went in for a WOF and failed on excessive exhaust smoke. It has been using oil ever since I got it, and recently, with a lot of city driving and cold starting, it has got to the point of using 1L of oil for 2 tanks of petrol. My mechanic tells me after pressure testing, etc that it is almost definitely the valve seals and he is going to replace them.
My question is this: do you think that my low idle speed could be caused by bad readings from O2 sensors etc due to the oil burning and high level of exhaust smoke, and therefore it should be fixed by stopping the car using oil? And do you have any other suggestions of things to try (other than anything to do with the throttle body or cleaning out carbon because I have already done those things)?